Page:Hesperides Vol 2.djvu/203

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63. GOD'S MIRTH: MAN'S MOURNING.

Where God is merry, there write down thy fears:
What He with laughter speaks, hear thou with tears.

64. HONOURS ARE HINDRANCES.

Give me honours! what are these,
But the pleasing hindrances?
Stiles, and stops, and stays that come
In the way 'twixt me and home;
Clear the walk, and then shall I
To my heaven less run than fly.


65. THE PARASCEVE, OR PREPARATION.

To a love-feast we both invited are:
The figur'd damask, or pure diaper,
Over the golden altar now is spread,
With bread, and wine, and vessels furnished;
The sacred towel and the holy ewer
Are ready by, to make the guests all pure:
Let's go, my Alma; yet, ere we receive,
Fit, fit it is we have our parasceve.
Who to that sweet bread unprepar'd doth come,
Better be starv'd, than but to taste one crumb.
Parasceve, preparation.




66. TO GOD.

God gives not only corn for need,
But likewise sup'rabundant seed;